Segmented Flexible Former for Mini-Cigar Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cigar forming devices are cumbersome, difficult to maneuver, and take up significant space, making them inefficient for producing high-quality, smaller-sized smokable products like mini-cigars or hemp sticks, which are needed to compete with traditional cigarettes and adapt to changing consumer preferences and economic factors.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, elongated device with a hollow interior and a continuous outer wall made from materials like plastic or metal, allowing for expansion and contraction to form smokable products quickly and efficiently, enabling hand-rolling or machine-assisted production of smaller-sized cigars and hemp sticks with a smooth exterior finish.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional wooden block formers are used to form cigars, then the cigars can be formed with proper shape and structure, but the devices are cumbersome, difficult to maneuver, and take up significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate halves that can be easily manipulated and positioned. Each half contains a cavity that receives the rolled filler and binder leaf, allowing the operator to work with smaller, more manageable components rather than a single large block
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a traditional three-dimensional wooden block to a two-dimensional flat profile when the halves are joined. This dimensional reduction allows the device to take up less space and be easier to maneuver while still providing the necessary forming capability
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional wooden block formers are used to form cigars, then the cigars can be formed with proper shape and structure, but the devices take up significant space
Solution Approach 1:
By splitting the former into two separate halves, the device occupies less workspace area. The halves can be positioned close together and joined during operation, providing the necessary forming space only when needed while minimizing the overall footprint of the device
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with a flat profile that reduces its vertical dimension, allowing it to occupy minimal space on the work surface. The two halves can be stored separately or joined flat, significantly reducing the space required compared to traditional bulky wooden block formers
3Manufacturing precision
If hand-rolling process is used to maintain quality, then the quality and care in forming is high, but the process is labor intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The filler and binder leaf are rolled together beforehand in a loose configuration, and then the device is used to apply finishing pressure and shape. This preliminary preparation allows the bulk of the forming work to be done quickly by hand, while the device provides the final precision shaping in a single pressing action
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates movable elements that allow the operator to apply pressure dynamically during the forming process. The halves can be pressed together with varying force and held for different durations, allowing quick adjustments to achieve the desired quality without requiring excessive time for each cigar
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device allows for rapid, high-quality production of smaller smokable products that can compete with traditional cigarettes, offering significant time and space savings while maintaining the quality associated with hand-rolled cigars, and can be used to grow the cigar and hemp industries.
Implementation Method 1
the outer wall comprising a continuous, one piece, flexible material construction including an at least minimal inherent bias; and forming an access opening formed in said outer wall
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a rolling device and method for forming a natural leaf smoking product comprising the steps of providing a Diospyros melanoxylon leaf body, which may be a recycled reconstituted Diospyros melanoxylon paper, acting as a binder material, having an inner body surface with pubescent straight trichomes disposed thereon; providing a hemp component acting as a filler material; disposing the Diospyros melanoxylon leaf body in an operative configuration with the outer body surface on a support surface and the inner body surface facing upwardly for receiving the hemp component; applying the hemp component over the pubescent straight trichomes; and wrapping the Diospyros melanoxylon leaf body, which may be a recycled reconstituted Diospyros melanoxylon paper, around the hemp component to form an encased smoking product.